Strength and agility are needed to maneuver the course in as little distance as possible. Modern barrel racing horses not only need to be fast, but also strong, agile, and intelligent. The timer keeps running until the beam is crossed again at the end of the run. Once in the arena, the electronic timer beam is crossed by the horse and rider. The pattern may also begin with the left barrel first.īeginning a barrel race, the horse and rider will enter the arena at top speed, through the center entrance (or alley if in a rodeo arena). This pattern is often referred to as a "Cloverleaf". Riders enter at the red line, circle around the 1st barrel, proceed to the 2nd barrel, and then continue on to the 3rd where they will complete the pattern and finally exit the course crossing the red line a second time. Success depends on several factors, most commonly the horse's physical and mental condition, the rider's horsemanship abilities, and the type of ground or footing (the quality, depth, content, etc. The timer begins when horse and rider cross the starting line, and ends when the barrel pattern has been successfully executed and horse and rider cross the finish line. Judges and timers are more commonly seen in local and non-professional events. The times are measured either by an electric eye, a device using a laser system to record times, or by a judge who drops a flag to let the timer know when to start and stop the clock. The main purpose of barrel racing is to run a set pattern as fast as possible. There are also open barrel racing jackpots, some open to all contestants no matter their age or gender. Barrel racing at this level is usually an event in which riders are grouped by age. In amateur competition other related speed events (such as keyhole race and pole bending) may be added. Today, barrel racing is a part of most rodeos, and is also included at gymkhana or O-Mok-See events, which are generally amateur competitions open to riders of all ages and abilities. The GRA changed its name to Women's Professional Rodeo Association in 1981, and the WPRA still provides women competition opportunities in several rodeo events, but barrel racing remains the most popular. The Girls Rodeo Association was the first body of rodeo developed specifically for women. It consisted of 74 members, with about 60 approved tour events. When it began, the WPRA was called the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA). The Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) was founded in 1948 by a group of women from Texas who were trying to find a place for women in the wider sport of rodeo. It is believed that competitive barrel racing was first held in Texas. The figure-eight was eventually dropped in favor of the more difficult cloverleaf. In early barrel racing, the pattern alternated between a figure-eight and a cloverleaf pattern. It requires a combination of the horse's athletic ability and the horsemanship skills of a rider in order to safely and successfully maneuver the horse around three barrels placed in a triangle pattern within a large arena.īarrel racing originally developed as an event for women. In collegiate and professional ranks, it is usually a women's event, though both sexes compete at amateur and youth levels. Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time.
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